Darby Allen, Fort McMurray's Fire Chief, Brushes Aside Praise

The fire chief in charge of fighting the monstrous wildfire in Alberta — 1,560 square kilometres and growing — doesn't want any praise.

"There's been lots of words used about me and I just want everyone to know I'm just a guy doing his job to the best of his ability," said Darby Allen, the fire chief for the regional municipality of Wood Buffalo, where Fort McMurray is located. Allen made the comments in a video posted to Twitter Saturday.

"The real heroes out there are the firefighters, emergency services personnel who are currently on the ground. They're the people who should be getting all that kudos," he said.

Allen has been touted as a hero on social media all week. The veteran firefighter fought back tears in an interview with CBC News on Tuesday, calling it "the worst day of my career."

Firefighters are being brought in from several provinces to relieve the local crews, who have been working virtually non-stop, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said on Saturday. The fire is still "unpredictable and dangerous," he said.

With files from The Canadian Press

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Fort McMurray Fire Aftermath (May 2016)

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Photos show the scale of devastation left by wildfires that tore through Fort McMurray, Alta. in May 2016.

The fire — which now covers over 1,000-square kilometres — forced over 80,000 residents from their homes.

Images of what the neighbourhoods look like now after the wildfire swept through are simply haunting.

The burnt remains of a barbecue are pictured in the Beacon Hill neighbourhood of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, May 9, 2016 after wildfires forced the evacuation of the town.

Burned out homes are pictured in the Abasand neighbourhood of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, May 9, 2016 after wildfires forced the evacuation of the town.

Interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose joins Wildrose leader Brian Jean as they tour the Lac La Biche evacuation centre, where evacuees have been living since leaving their Fort McMurray homes due to the raging wildfires, on May 9, 2016.

Wildrose leader Brian Jean speaks to media after touring the Lac La Biche evacuation centre with Interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose, where evacuees have been living since leaving their Fort McMurray homes due to the raging wildfires, May 9, 2016